WNBA star ejected for elbowing rival in the face in league’s latest brutal foul
Los Angeles Sparks star DeArica Hamby was ejected from a game against the Connecticut Sun for a vicious elbow she threw against opponent Raegan Beers.
Early in the fourth quarter, Hamby and Beers were battling in the paint for a rebound.
One of Hamby’s Sparks teammates had a clear and easy rebound to grab, but that didn’t stop the LA forward from throwing a wild elbow that caught Beers in the face.
The Connecticut player hit the ground in pain as officials assessed a Flagrant 2 foul on Hamby. A Flagrant 2 results in an automatic ejection. In addition, according to WNBA rules, Hamby will be assessed a $1,000 fine for her actions.
Following the game, Hamby insisted that her elbow was in reaction to Beers hitting her first.
After an X user told Hamby to be a better example for her daughter, the player replied: ‘if somebody intentionally punch my kid in her ribs/stomach I hope she does more than that!!!!!!’
Sparks star DeArica Hamby (L) was ejected for throwing an elbow at Raegan Beers
Hamby’s elbow caught the face of the Connecticut Sun center on a rebound attempt
Beers hit the court in pain as Hamby was assessed a Flagrant 2 and had her night end early
Hamby (seen clutching her stomach in pain) says the elbow was retaliation for a hit from Beers
Hamby then encouraged the user to find an alternate angle of the play in question.
Sure enough, the under-basket camera showed Beers striking Hamby in the stomach with an open palm – with the Sparks player then seen grabbing for her midsection in pain. Beers then delivered an elbow in the back mere seconds before Hamby’s elbow let loose.
This marked Hamby’s first flagrant foul of the season and her first ejection.
If she commits two more Flagrant 1 fouls or one more Flagrant 2 foul, she will meet the requirements for a one-game suspension. If she commits a Flagrant 1 and then a Flagrant 2, she will be suspended for two games.
It’s the latest hard foul seen by a player in the league, however, this one may be less controversial than the last.
Earlier this month, the WNBA was swept up in controversy when Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington committed a hard foul on Indiana Fever rotation player Sophie Cunningham.
Carrington subsequently received backlash as many decried her foul as assault. Others believed it was a pre-meditated attack on Cunningham over her recent statements advocating against transgender participation in women’s sports.
The Sparks would hold on to win 77-68, ending a six-game losing streak. At the time of her ejection, Hamby had 10 points, five rebounds and two assists.